Instantaneous Heater for a Smoke Generator

ABSTRACT

An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator includes a heating rod having first and second sections. The second section is connected to a power supply system of a smoke generator. An outer tube is mounted around the heating rod. An end cap is sealing mounted to a first end of the outer tube and covers the first section of the heating rod. The outer periphery of the heating rod, the inner periphery of the outer tube, the end cap, and the connection cap together defines a heating passage intercommunicating with an outlet of the end cap. A connection cap is sealingly mounted around a second end of the outer tube. The connection cap includes a coupling hole intercommunicating with the heating passage. A guiding tube is mounted between the coupling hole of the connection cap and an oil tank of the smoke generator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heater for a smoke generator and, more particularly, to an instantaneous heater for heating and vaporizing an oil in a smoke generator into smoke.

A smoke generator for providing a stage performance effect generally heats and vaporizes an oil in the smoke generator into smoke, and the smoke is ejected to the outside to provide a smoke effect on the stage. A conventional smoke generator includes a heating rod wound around by a helical tube made of heat conducting material. An end of the helical tube is coupled to a pump connected to an oil tank. The heat generated by the heating rod is transmitted to the helical tube. The oil in the helical tube is heated and vaporized into smoke which is ejected outwards from the other end of the helical tube. The helical tube can increase the heating time of the oil to assure reliable vaporization of the oil into smoke.

However, the smoke generator requires a longer period of time for preheating, because the oil is indirectly heated. Furthermore, the contact area between the helical tube and the outside is relatively large, such that most of the heat dissipates rapidly. Thus, a thermal insulating mechanism must be provided to the outer side of the helical tube. Furthermore, the smoke generator cannot continuously operate for a long period of time, because the vaporization speed of the smoke generator is not fast enough due to the indirect heating. Furthermore, since the oil is indirectly heated, 5-10 minutes of preheating is required if the smoke generator is started from a stopped state. Furthermore, when the smoke generator is not generating smoke, the smoke generator must keep in a standby mode for maintaining the temperature, and the heating rod requires intermittent heating to keep the helical tube at a certain temperature for timely provide the smoke. Thus, the smoke generator must keep at a high temperature state that might damage associated electronic components, and the volume of the smoke generator must be increased to avoid excessive high temperature at the housing of the smoke generator. Furthermore, more electricity is consumed in keeping the heating state of the heating rod.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator according to the present invention includes a heating rod having a first section and a second section. The heating rod further includes an outer periphery extending from the first section through the second section. The second section of the heating rod is adapted to be connected to a power supply system of a smoke generator. An outer tube is mounted around the heating rod. The outer tube includes a first end facing the first section of the heating rod and a second end facing the second section of the heating rod. The outer tube further includes an inner periphery extending from the first end through the second end of the outer tube. An end cap is sealing mounted to the first end of the outer tube. The end cap includes an outlet. The end cap covers the first section of the heating rod. The outer periphery of the heating rod, the inner periphery of the outer tube, the end cap, and the connection cap together defines a heating passage intercommunicating with the outlet of the end cap. A connection cap is sealingly mounted around the second end of the outer tube. The connection cap includes a coupling hole intercommunicating with the heating passage. A guiding tube includes a first end coupled to the coupling hole of the connection cap. The guiding tube further includes a second end adapted to be connected to an oil tank of the smoke generator.

In an example, the instantaneous heater further includes a flow guiding member that is helical. The flow guiding member is received in a chamber defined by the inner periphery of the outer tube and is located between the inner periphery of the outer tube and the outer periphery of the heating rod. The flow guiding member includes an outer periphery abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube. The flow guiding member further includes an inner periphery abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube. The heating passage is helical.

In another example, the inner periphery of the outer tube is helical. The inner periphery of the outer tube includes a helical crest abutting the outer periphery of the heating rod. The inner periphery of the outer tube further includes a helical root spaced from the outer periphery of the heating rod. The heating passage is helical.

In a further example, the outer periphery of the heating rod is helical. The outer periphery of the heating rod includes a helical crest abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube. The outer periphery of the heating rod further includes a helical root spaced from the inner periphery of the outer tube. The heating passage is helical.

The end cap can include a compartment defined in an end face thereof. The compartment includes a bottom wall having an abutment face. The first section of the heating rod has an end face abutting the abutment face of the end cap. The end cap further includes a plurality of guiding grooves defined in the abutment face.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous heater for a smoke generator of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smoke generator including the instantaneous heater of FIG. 1, with a housing of the smoke generator removed for clarity

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the smoke generator of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a circled portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of another circled portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous heater for a smoke generator of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the instantaneous heater of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous heater for a smoke generator of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the instantaneous heater of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “side”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “part”, “longitudinal”, “length”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, 4A, and 4B, an instantaneous heater 50 of a first embodiment according to the present invention is mounted in a casing 20 of a smoke generator 10. The casing 20 includes a first board 22, a second board 24, and a bottom board 26 extending between the first board 22 and the second board 24. The first board 22 has a through-hole 23. A cap 48 is mounted to an outer face of the first board 22 and includes a plurality of holes corresponding to the through-hole 23. The casing 20 further includes a partitioning board 28 mounted on the bottom board 26 and extending between the first board 22 and the second board 24. The partitioning board 28 separates the interior of the casing 20 into a first compartment 30 and a second compartment 32. The second compartment 32 receives an oil tank 38 and a pump 40. The oil tank 38 receives an oil that can be heated to vaporize into smoke. The pump 40 includes a first coupler 42 and a second coupler 44 spaced from the first coupler 42. A pipe 46 is mounted between the oil tank 38 and the second coupler 44. When the pump 40 operates, the oil in the oil tank 38 is pumped through the pipe 46. The first coupler 42 of the pump 40 is located in the first compartment 30. A holder 34 is mounted to a side of the partitioning board 28 and is located above the first coupler 42. The holder 34 includes an insertion groove 36 for holding the instantaneous heater 50.

The instantaneous heater 50 of the first embodiment includes a heating rod 52 having circular cross sections. The heating rod 52 includes a first section 54 and a second section 56. The heating rod 52 further includes an outer periphery 58 extending from the first section 54 through the second section 56. The outer periphery 58 is free of grooves and protrusions. The second section 56 of the heating rod 52 is connected to a power cord 60 connected to a power supply system of the smoke generator 10. Thus, when the smoke generator 10 is started, the heating rod 52 generates heat energy.

The instantaneous heater 50 further includes a flow guiding member 62 mounted around the heating rod 52. The flow guiding member 62 is a helical compression spring in this embodiment. The flow guiding member 62 includes an outer periphery 62A and an inner periphery 62B. The inner periphery 62B of the flow guiding member 62 abuts the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52.

The instantaneous heater 50 further includes an outer tube 64 mounted around the flow guiding member 62. A longitudinal length of the outer tube 64 is smaller than a longitudinal length of the heating rod 52. The outer tube 64 includes a first end 66 facing the first section 54 of the heating rod 52 and a second end 68 facing the second section 56 of the heating rod 52. The outer tube 64 further includes an inner periphery 70 extending from the first end 66 through the second end 68 of the outer tube 64. The inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 defines a chamber 72 having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the heating rod 52. The first end 66 of the outer tube 64 is substantially flush with an end face of the first section 54 of the heating rod 52. The flow guiding member 62 is received in the chamber 72 of the outer tube 64. The outer periphery 62A of the flow guiding member 62 abuts the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64.

The instantaneous heater 50 further includes an end cap 74 sealing mounted to the first end 66 of the outer tube 64. The end cap 74 includes a compartment 74A defined in an end face thereof. The compartment 74A includes a bottom wall having an abutment face 75. The end cap 74 further includes a plurality of guiding grooves 76 defined in the abutment face 75. The end cap 74 further includes an outlet 78 extending from an outer face of the end cap 74 through the abutment face 75. The end cap 74 is mounted around the first end 66 of the outer tube 64 and covers the first section 54 of the heating rod 52. The peripheral edge of the end cap 74. and the outer periphery of the outer tube 64 are sealed by welding. The end face of the first section 54 of the heating rod 52 abuts the abutment face 75 of the end cap 74. Thus, each guiding groove 76 intercommunicates with the heating passage 71.

The instantaneous heater 50 further includes a connection cap 80 sealingly mounted around the second end 68 of the outer tube 64. The connection cap 80 includes a first part 82 and a second part 84 having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the first part 82. The connection cap 80 further includes a space 85 extending from the first part 82 through the second part 84. The space 85 receives the second end 68 of the outer tube 64 and the heating rod 52. A stepped portion 86 is formed in the space 85 at an intersection between the first part 82 and the second part 84. The connection cap 80 further includes a coupling hole 88 extending from an outer periphery of the second part 84 to the space 85. A first end of a guiding tube 90 is coupled to the coupling hole 88 of the connection cap 80 by welding. A locking member 92 is mounted to a second end of the guiding tube 90. The connection cap 80 is mounted around the second end 68 of the outer tube 64. The second end 68 of the outer tube 64 abuts the stepped portion 86. The second section 56 of the heating rod 52 extends out of the second part 84 of the connection cap 80. The outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64, the flow guiding member 62, the end cap 74, and the connection cap 80 together define a beating passage 71 in a space between the heating rod 52 and the outer tube 64. The heating passage 71 is helical. The heating passage 71 intercommunicates with the outlet 78 of the end, cap 74 and the coupling hole 88 of the connection cap 80.

The outer tube 64 is held in the insertion groove 36 of the holder 34 in the first compartment 30 of the casing 20. The locking member 92 of the guiding tube 90 is coupled to the first coupler 42 of the pump 40. Thus, the second end of the guiding tube 90 is connected to the oil tank 38 of the smoke generator 10 via the pump 40 and the pipe 46. A first temperature sensor 96 and a holder 111 are fixed to each other and together clamp the outer periphery of the outer tube 64 at a location adjacent to the second end 68. A second temperature sensor 98 and another holder 111 are fixed to each other and together clamp the outer periphery of the outer tube 64 at a location adjacent to the first end 66. The first and second temperature sensors 96 and 98 cooperate with each other to control the temperature of the heating rod 52. Furthermore, a housing 94 is mounted outside of the casing 20 of the smoke generator 10 to seal the first and second compartments 30 and 32.

In use, after the smoke generator 10 has been started, the heating rod 52 begins to generate heat, and the pump 40 starts to operate to pump the oil in the oil tank 38 through the pipe 46 and the guiding tube 90 to the heating passage 71 of the instantaneous heater 50. Since the heating passage 71 is helical, the oil entering the heating passage 71 must move windingly from the second end 68 towards the first end 66 of the outer tube 64. Thus, the oil moving along the heating passage 71 has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke by the heating rod 52. The smoke moves through the guiding grooves 76 of the end cap 74 and is ejected outwards via the outlet 78. Thus, the smoke can be ejected to the outside via the holes in the cap 48.

FIGS. 5-7 show an instantaneous heater 50 of a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the instantaneous heater 50 does not include the flow guiding member 62. Furthermore, the wall of the outer tube 64 is helical. Namely, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 is helical. Specifically, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 includes a helical crest 70A abutting the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52. The inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 further includes a helical root 70B spaced from the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52. Thus, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64, the end cap 74, and the connection cap 80 together define a helical heating passage 71. As a result, the oil entering the heating passage 71 has to move windingly from the second end 68 towards the first end 66 of the outer tube 64, such that the oil has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke by the heating rod 52.

FIGS. 8-10 show an instantaneous heater 50 of a third embodiment. The third embodiment does not include the flow guiding member 62. Furthermore, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 is helical. Specifically, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 includes a helical crest 58A abutting the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64. The outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 further includes a helical root 58B spaced from the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64. Thus, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64, the end cap 74, and the connection cap 80 together define a helical heating passage 71. As a result, the oil entering the heating passage 71 has to move windingly from the second end 68 towards the first end 66 of the outer tube 64, such that the oil has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke by the heating rod 52.

The instantaneous heater 50 directly uses the heating rod 52 to heat and vaporize the oil into smoke without using any heat accumulator or heat conducting device. Thus, the heating rate can be increased, because the time for accumulating heat for preheating purposes in the conventional device is not required. Furthermore, heat accumulation for maintaining the temperature is not required during standby, such that undesired heat loss and undesired waste in electricity are avoided, saving the electricity. Furthermore, the time for preheating of the smoke generator 10 is greatly reduced, because the heating rod 52 directly heats the oil. Since the time of preheating is relatively short, when the smoke generator 10 is in the standby state, temperature maintaining and the material therefor are not required. Thus, the standby temperature of the smoke generator 10 can be greatly reduced while greatly reducing the interior space of the smoke generator 10. Thus, the overall volume of the smoke generator 10 can be greatly reduced to permit more flexibility in appearance design while reducing the material costs. Furthermore, the damage possibility of the electronic components of the smoke generator 10 can be reduced. The material costs can be further cut, because the material for maintaining temperature is not required.

In view of the foregoing, the smoke generator 10 continuously outputs the smoke, greatly reduces the manufacturing costs, reduces the volume of the smoke generator 10, permits more flexibility appearance deign, reduces the temperature during standby, and reduces the electricity consumption by more than 50% to provide an electricity saving effect.

Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the flow guiding member 62 of the instantaneous heater 50 of the first embodiment can be non-helical. Namely, the flow guiding member 62 is used to define the windingly heating passage 71, such that the distance the oil has to move through is more than the longitudinal length of the outer tube 64 to provide the oil with sufficient time for heating and vaporization. Thus, the flow guiding member 62 can be configured to make the oil move windingly in the heating passage 71. Alternatively, the helical crest 70B of the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 of the instantaneous heater 50 of the second embodiment can be non-helical. For example, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 can include a plurality of non-rectilinear protrusions to make the oil move windingly along the heating passage 71. Alternatively, the helical crest 58B of the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 of the third embodiment can be non-helical. For example, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 can include non-rectilinear grooves to make the oil move windingly along the heating passage 71. In these arrangements, the oil has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke.

Furthermore, the heating passage 71 can be non-helical. For example, the heating passage 71 can be small channels having annular cross sections, and the inner diameter of the outlet 78 is reduced. In this case, a larger pressure is required to move the air in the heating passage 71 through the outlet 78 into the heating passage 71, and the oil takes a longer time to reach the outlet 78. Thus, the oil has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke.

Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator comprising: a heating rod including a first section and a second section, with the heating rod further including an outer periphery extending from the first section through the second section, with the second section of the heating rod adapted to be connected to a power supply system of a smoke generator; an outer tube mounted around the heating rod, with the outer tube including a first end facing the first section of the heating rod and a second end facing the second section of the heating rod, and with the outer tube further including an inner periphery extending from the first end through the second end of the outer tube; an end cap sealing mounted to the first end of the outer tube, with the end cap including an outlet, with the end cap covering the first section of the heating rod, with the outer periphery of the heating rod, the inner periphery of the outer tube, the end cap, and the connection cap together defining a heating passage intercommunicating with the outlet of the end cap; a connection cap sealingly mounted around the second end of the outer tube, with the connection cap including a coupling hole intercommunicating with the heating passage; and a guiding tube including a first end coupled to the coupling hole of the connection cap, with the guiding tube further including a second end adapted to be connected to an oil tank of the smoke generator.
 2. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in claim I, further comprising: a flow guiding member, with the inner periphery of the outer tube defining a chamber, with the flow guiding member being helical, with the flow guiding member received in the chamber of the outer tube and located between the inner periphery of the outer tube and the outer periphery of the heating rod, with the flow guiding member including an outer periphery abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube, with the flow guiding member further including an inner periphery abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube, with the heating passage being helical.
 3. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in claim 1, with the inner periphery of the outer tube being helical, with the inner periphery of the outer tube including a helical crest abutting the outer periphery of the heating rod, and with the inner periphery of the outer tube further including a helical root spaced from the outer periphery of the heating rod, and with the heating passage being helical.
 4. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in claim 1, with the outer periphery of the heating rod being helical, with the outer periphery of the heating rod including a helical crest abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube, with the outer periphery of the heating rod further including a helical root spaced from the inner periphery of the outer tube, and with the heating passage being helical.
 5. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in claim 1, with the end cap including a compartment defined in an end face thereof, with the compartment including a bottom wall having an abutment face, with the first section of the heating rod having an end face abutting the abutment face of the end cap, and with the end cap further including a plurality of guiding grooves defined in the abutment face. 